Discuss the latest comic book news and front page articles, read or post your own reviews of comics, and talk about anything comic book related. Threads from the two subforums below will also show up here. News Stand topics can also be read and posted in from The Asylum.

This was a fun send up of comics in general. I loved the variant colour Goons. The death and constant return page was just great. I guess in the end, the best way to review something of this issue's nature is simply to ask if I laughed out loud at any point. The answer to that question would be -- numerous times.

This get's an 8 of of 10.

Last edited by Stephen Day on Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I've been reading The Goon for awhile now but this is the first monthly I've picked up. And it won't be the last. The cover and letter by Eric Powell are absolute brilliance. As is the panel where fake Goon and fake Franky have the juiciest man-on-man action outside of gay porn.

The rest of the comic is decent however as most of it uses the same jokes, including ones from the cover, repeatedly until they almost become tiresome. The unforunate thing about parodies and satires is that they often repeat the same things they are satirizing without the ridiculousness needed to make it new. If something specific annoys, it doesn't matter much if it's being done seriously or for the sake of satire.This issue would've been better served as 3/4's satire and 1/4 advertisement of what makes The Goon fuckin' awesome.

Art-wise, it's Eric Powell and Dave Stewart. They're always awesome.

Overall, my standard for what to expect from The Goon is quite high and this does disappoint. However, it is mile better than most of the shit out there, which is what is being parodying in this issue. Eric Powell, you've already won with the 38 previous issues of The Goon.

Eric Powell is a frustrating person. On the one hand, I generally support the idea that the industry needs to move beyond superhero comics. One of the strengths of the comic industry is that it can go places that it can explore ideas that movies and television typically can't in a more nuanced and thorough manner the other forms of entertainment. Creators like BKV and Kirkman have created amazing longform series that have proved to be sales juggernauts in the longterm. However, Marvel and DC prefer to sit on their toes and constantly exploit a dwindling base with frighteningly vapid comics like "Hero One vs. Hero Two" or Reboot of Infinite Taglines. That's not to say that there aren't good superhero comics (there's plenty of them) but the industry has been relying on marketing hype designed to squeeze the last pennies of a fanbase that many believe will be gone within the next twenty years.

Goon #39 is a satire that's firmly pokes fun at these industry standards, especially the Big Two's reliance on mainstream media hype and hypersexuality to push sales. However, Powell's comic suffers from a flaw that prevents many casual comic readers from venturing into the world of "indie comics". There's a cruel arrogance that pops up far too much in Goon #39, lambasting creators who work on superhero comics as lazy degenerate zoophiliacs only one step above bronies. While I don't mind the mocking of lazy marketing schemes or overplayed tropes, Powell pushes things a little too far and comes off as embittered to the success of his peers. I doubt that's what Powell intended, but it's how he came off. Any new reader drawn to the comic would probably be put off by the mean-spiritedness of it all.

The best part of the issue is the letter, which lays out why the industry needs more than superhero comics to survive in the long term. It's a heartfelt and genuine piece that even compliments DC and Marvel's staffs. However, that letter wasn't enough to convince me to pick up next month's Goon issue. Honestly, Powell should spend a little less time on the satire, however well intentioned, and work on making good comics instead.

so yeah, I read this and I agree with everyone that the satire does fall a little flat because it's just repeating over and over again. Issue 39 of the goon is not going to reach the people Powell is speaking to. It reached the people that read the goon, people that either read nothing but indie comics or those that read the smattering of various comics like The Goon and the mainstream super hero comics that Powell is railing against. It's impossible to review this book since it has no plot and only exists to shove it in your face that if you fall for mainstream comics publicity stunt instead of reading good indie comics then you're going spending your money all wrong. Even his letter comes off bitter. It's not like Eric isn't trying to capitalize on the success of comic book movies by optioning his indie baby. It might be stalled but it got as far as a screen test.

With all that said, the comic is still an issue of the goon. And well anytime I've read the goon I've enjoyed it and the art is still great too.

6

doombug wrote:You really are the george carlin of the outhouse. that's fucking hilarious.

doombug wrote:and yeah, Yoni called it.

I feel like a condemned building with a brand new flag pole.- Les Paul